Original subtitles

There are 50 seats, right?

That's enough. If there's more coming, the rest can just stand.

What?

Your book Period is unlike Poems and Pain.

The way you tell the story is more explorative.

So if there aren't many readers at first, don't worry.

All my books are actually explorative, sir.

Poems and Pain, Period too.

This one is just a bit different.

But you actually like it, don't you? If you don't, why did you publish it?

I'm more than just your publisher. You're like a sister to me.

-I support you in whatever you write. -Thank you.

I'm still hoping you will write the sequel for Poems and Pain, anyways.

Enough with that, sir. It's time for me to aim higher.

I can't keep writing pop stories.

-Any reviews yet? -It was just published yesterday.

What's the title of this book?

Circle or Period?

Period.

All right. I understand.

You want to tell your readers,

"Don't judge a book by its cover,"

don't you?

When the reporters come asking, you can respond with that.

We deliberately made the cover dull so people could judge its content instead.

It's not dull.

Just simplistic. Honest.

Do you think there are enough seats?

Should we remove some more?

Why are you guys so worried? Just relax!

The book launch is still in 15 minutes.

All right?

BOOK DISCUSSION AND SIGNING

Your new book confuses me

and it makes me question

which one is more important to you, Ms. Rania.

Getting recognition from readers like me or critics?

Here's the thing, sir.

I'm not trying to get any kind of recognition from anyone.

Writing, for me, is like breathing.

I need to keep doing it to keep being alive.

-As simple as that, sir. -But miss--

Right, I apologize. The room is about to be used for another event,

so let's get right to the book signing. Come here, please.

Hi, Ms. Rania.

POEMS AND PAIN

Well, today is for Period book signing.

You said the book is quite literary.

I can get confused if it's too literary.

POEMS AND PAIN

It's not that confusing, miss.

Ladies and gentlemen, the books are also for sale.

Thank you, miss.

Is anyone bringing Period book? Just come here and I'll sign it.

All right, I'll just sign it.

-The review from Khatulistiwa is out. -Really? And?

-Thank you. -Not important.

What do you mean? Their review is the most important.

Thank you.

Is it that bad?

Thank you.

How about the review from Pena?

"…Rania's newest after the sensational popcorn book Poems and Pain

titled Period cannot be considered honest,

prioritizing style over substance."

Their review is too banal anyway.

How about Sastra Berkala magazine?

"…my score can be seen from the cover of the book,

boring and with zero effort to connect to its readers."

Well, never mind. They bash all my books anyway.

How about social media? @goodbooksreview.

They don't really promote your book.

Really?

Maybe they haven't read it yet.

-But they're talking about it, right? -Don't you check your social media?

I don't have time for that.

Try looking for #PeriodNovel.

#PERIODNOVEL

At least it makes people more creative.

Your plan is to use the profit for all kinds of things, Ran.

But it seems we might not get much.

Just relax, sir.

I used to have no money, and I was fine.

Back then, you didn't have an expensive mortgage

and a car with a huge monthly installment.

I have thought about that.

I applied for debt restructuring this morning.

They can reduce the installments, but it will take longer to pay.

Or you can write the sequel to Poems and Pain.

No way!

-I will never ever write the sequel. -But why?

I desperately want to leave the exploitative popcorn writing, sir.

The readers love it, Ran.

Yes, the sadomasochist old ladies who won't leave abusive relationships.

So what? You simply give them the escape they need.

There are no other reasons.

March 30th, 2019.

Ten days after I started writing Poems and Pain.

The main character of this novel is Laras Andini,

who just realized that her husband is abusive and possessive after two months.

Laras was locked in the basement and started being abused.

I fell asleep while writing last night.

When I woke up, I realized I had written ten pages,

including the part where Laras was abused by her husband.

Now, my whole body hurts for real.

Exactly like what Laras experienced.

APRIL 06, 2019

It happened again. My mind went blank last night.

Somehow, I finished writing the story of Laras being abused by her husband.

She got hit on the left side of her face.

When I woke up this morning, my left cheek hurt so bad.

I'm starting to lose my mind.

So I did some research.

There have been some cases of writers

being so emotionally attached to the characters they're writing

that they can really feel

what their characters feel.

Why don't I write a character who has great sex every day?

I have finally finished Poems and Pain.

But the story is still incomplete because my body can't take it anymore.

I think the ending is quite fitting.

"Laras accepted her fate of being locked up in the basement forever…"

I hope all the pain in my body is worth the novel having huge sales, amen.

A new video on a new day. A new laptop. A new camera.

And next, a new bedroom.

Poems and Pain novel has been a bestseller for the past seven months!

NOTIFICATIONS, CENTRAL MEDIA BANK

MORTGAGE

YOUR APPLICATION FOR MORTGAGE

"Your application for mortgage is…"

REJECTED

Are you sure the sequel to Poems and Pain will generate huge sales?

Cut my ears if it doesn't.

If I decide to write it,

can I get an advanced payment?

IF SHE COULD CHOOSE, LARAS WOULD'VE CHOSEN TO BE BORN IN A FAMILY

IF SHE COULD CHOOSE, LARAS WOULD'VE CHOSEN TO BE BORN IN A FAMILY

WITHOUT PARENTS

WITHOUT VALUES

OF BABOONS.

LARAS WAS TUMBLING DOWN. TEARS FILLING HER FACE.

LARAS TRIED CRAWLING AWAY FROM HER HUSBAND. TOO LATE.

ON HER BACK, ON TOP OF THE SCARS

THAT WERE NOT FULLY HEALED.

Rik, the cover has to be honest, just like the story.

It's going to be a bestseller.

I will send you the script for you to read.

I want you to make some quotes to be put on the back cover.

She's really talented.

She can turn a simple story of selling secondhand toilets with her dad

into something that is very engaging.

Aliya, do you know Rania Dewi?

Of course I know.

-Hello, miss. -Hey.

Her new book was just published yesterday.

-Yes, I have read it. -Okay.

I like it.

But I can understand

if some are not into it.

-Thank you, Aliya. -Great!

At least there's one admirer.

-I have transferred the advanced payment. -That's what I want to talk about. So--

Don't worry about it.

-I have increased it to 15%. -Yes.

But that's not it.

So I came here

because I don't feel like talking over the phone.

So I…

want to cancel the Poems and Pain sequel.

Are you insane? The writing is great.

I even showed it to Erik. Rik!

What do you think of Rania's new writing?

I couldn't stop reading it. All 30 pages in only 15 minutes.

-I can already imagine-- -Wait a second.

Where did you get it from?

You always write on an online document that I can access.

It's really great.

All my colleagues were quite giddy when they read it.

-It's quite thrilling! -It's not meant to be amusing.

Domestic violence is a serious matter.

It is a serious and relevant matter.

Your Period book? No. It's only meant for yourself.

You always have to be relevant as a writer.

If not, you will slowly lose readers, being forgotten by many.

Aliya's talking about toilets

sounds so inelegant.

But it is relevant. People can relate to it.

What is it you're looking for, Ran?

Just write whatever you've been writing.

Don't be someone else.

Just be yourself. That's it.

-Is it clear enough? -Yes.

All right, now open the app you just installed

and enter the username and password I just gave you.

-What is it for, Ran? -Have you logged in yet?

I have. I can see you now.

I want you to watch me while I'm writing now.

This is weird.

Just do it, sir.

If you find me writing erratically, please call me.

What do you mean by erratic?

I'm home now. My boyfriend is here.

If you pull some stunt, like taking off your clothes, he will be mad.

Are you insane? It's not going to happen!

That's it, I'm hanging up the phone.

Monitor me through the CCTV

and if you find something not quite right, please call me.

-Do you want me to start writing now? -Yes, please.

All right.

ALONE IN A ROOM SO HOT, LARAS STOOD TALL

HER POSTURE WAS ABLE TO HOLD BACK HER TEARS.

LARAS WAS TRYING TO BREATHE.

BUT HER HUSBAND'S GRIP WAS TOO STRONG.

HENDRA ONO - PUBLISHER

Why do you always make me mad?

Why can't we be fine?

I don't know what to do with you anymore.

-Asti. -Mom.

You haven't had your dinner yet, Asti?

-I will spoon-feed you. -Rania!

Rania! What's going on?

Luckily, I could come here right away.

I saw you doing this for 30 minutes through the webcam.

What's going on? Are you ill?

Stroke?

Thank you.

When you wrote the first Poems and Pain, did it happen too?

Earlier was the first time I experienced what Laras went through firsthand.

I didn't realize it, but suddenly, the writing was there.

I used to only feel the pain.

Now, my body is scarred for real.

You're not using drugs, are you?

-If you are, I can bring you to rehab. -Did you see me choking my own neck?

And where did I get this from?

Maybe you were just too intense.

You eventually feel what your character feels.

I used to think of it that way.

But this time, this feels too real.

I feel that Laras really exists.

I can find out who she is if I can see her face next time.

That's it. Stop writing for now.

Just keep the down payment for later books.

But what if Laras really exists, sir?

Really experiencing what I see.

What if it happened in the past?

-There's nothing you can do about it. -No.

I can feel that it's happening now.

It will be dangerous if it's for real. It was just choking earlier.

What if she is being mutilated?

It means you can die too.

Who are you?

Did I do it right?

MOM LOVES ASTI

"Mom loves Asti."

It's right. Perfect.

Tell me a story about the outside world again.

-Which story? -When Dad gave you the ring.

I have told you that story before. It was at a French restaurant.

Can you choose your meals at a restaurant?

Of course you can. You can choose what to drink too.

Was Dad still nice back then?

Dad was still nice when he gave you the ring.

Yes, your dad was still nice.

Why is he terrifying now?

Why can't we get out?

Your dad loves me too much. He loves us too much.

He doesn't want to lose us.

Why is he thinking that way?

Because…

I know who he really is.

Who is he?

Asti! My ring…

-Where did you put it, Mom? -No.

When I was washing my hands, it was a bit loose.

No.

Asti, help me find it before your dad comes.

What's going on?

I just arrived home, feeling tired, but none of you seem happy.

Why are you crying, Asti?

What's going on with Asti?

Why are you hiding your hands?

Are you hiding something?

-It's just… -A surprise?

For me? Let me see.

The ring…

-Did you take the ring off? -No, I didn't.

-No, it's… -You no longer love me?

-It's not that! -Then why did you take it off?

Fight back.

Fight back!

Why?

Why did you change even more?

Should I just live with Asti and remove you from existence?

Until she's a grown-up.

Maybe she will serve me better.

-Don't do that to your daughter! -I know that!

Fight back.

Fight back!

Come on!

Please, come on!

Come on!

You're right. There are some bruises on her ribs.

And her skull… It's fine.

But you have to do the MRI today. We will check thoroughly.

I don't think I can do that. I'm claustrophobic.

You choose. Claustrophobic MRI room

or a coffin?

I'm fine, doctor. It just hurts on the face.

Who did this to you?

Should I accompany you to the police? I know someone.

Which one? How do I not know this?

A patient.

-You can get that close to a patient? -Enough. I'm still fine.

Hendra will tell you about it, doctor.

The point is, no one did this to me.

We will talk about it at home.

-Bedrest? -No.

When you broke your bones back then, you went out at night instead.

I'll give you a painkiller. But we will check it again in two days.

Ran, I'm being serious. I'm worried about you.

Please postpone your writing.

-So you don't believe me, sir? -I believe you.

Is it wrong for me to find it hard to accept?

It's not an ordinary thing.

Let's say all you're telling me is true.

You still shouldn't get involved like what happened last night.

So you tell me to just watch and do nothing?

You get involved, she gets beaten, and you get hurt in the end.

I really need to find out who she really is.

-How? -Every time I enter…

Every time I enter her body, my vision gets clearer.

I have to at least see her face.

-If something happens to you again-- -That's why

I need your help to keep an eye on me while I'm writing.

Don't wake me up if I only get light bruises.

If you die, I will be the main suspect because I'm here.

Just try to estimate it.

Wake me up only when I'm in grave danger.

-How should I know that? -You'll know.

Mom.

Will we ever leave this room one day?

One day, my daughter.

Tell me another story, Mom.

Which one do you want to hear?

About death.

If we die, where will we go? Can we get out?

Asti cannot die.

Asti has to live until you grow up.

Leaving this room, going to school, going to college,

-going out, okay? -I'm afraid of Dad killing me, Mom.

Who are you?

What's going on, Mom?

Mirror.

We don't have any mirrors, Mom.

Mom?

Mirror.

What happened? Who is she?

When was the last time you met your parents?

Twelve years ago.

What happened?

I tried driving my friend's car.

Rama came along. I hit a pole.

And he died.

Rama was my parents' favorite kid.

Nice, smart, diligent, handsome.

Meanwhile, I was a mess.

Rebelling, repeating a grade.

My parents never forgave me.

So I have a twin sister?

Yes.

And you two put her up for adoption.

At that time, we were in a difficult time.

Money problem.

I was working as a journalist

at a media outlet that was against the New Order.

I heard that I was about to get arrested.

We were worried

that we could not take care of you.

Why only my twin? Why not me too?

We gave you to someone else too.

Although, we regretted what we did a year later.

We tried looking for you two.

We could only find you.

We could not find your twin.

So you also gave me away to someone else.

You also did that to Rama?

No.

-Of course. -Because he was older--

Do you two know where she is?

We've been looking for her for years,

even paying someone to do that,

even until a few years back.

We found nothing.

Dad…

and I love you so much.

We love you all so much.

But we got lost.

The past still lingers.

So much regret.

You also regretted giving birth to me and my twin?

I regretted it

because we couldn't give

enough love to both of you.

Rania, you've never been wrong.

We're the ones failing you.

Thinking about the people. Thinking about the country.

But we forgot to think of the most important ones,

our son and daughters.

Forgive me, Rania.

Forgive us.

Forgive us.

-What will you do now? -I need to find my twin.

How?

Thank you for supporting me all this time, sir.

I know I'm not the most talented writer,

but you always support me.

I know you're sincere.

It's not because you like me.

You don't even like women.

-Are you sure? -Of course.

You didn't even notice my exposed boobs at the book festival last year.

I was so embarrassed.

But really.

If something happens to me,

I want you to know

that I love you.

You are a good person.

You're talking as if you're about to die.

I need to finish this until I know where my twin is,

whatever the risk.

Asti.

Mom, I feel so weak.

-It's cold. -You will be fine soon, my daughter.

I think I can get out if I die.

Baby, don't cry.

What's going on, Laras?

I'm tired of working all day. I need some rest.

Your daughter, Asti, is ill.

Asti often gets sick.

She will be fine tomorrow.

There are many medicines in the cabinet anyway.

Her temperature has been high.

-She's burning. -Enough with the drama.

Please take her to the hospital now.

And how can I explain who she is?

Asti! Your daughter! She's very ill!

If you don't bring her to the doctor now--

Enough!

-Don't use your daughter to get attention. -You!

What are you really?

Devils won't even do this to their own children!

You're brave enough now, aren't you?

Fight back.

Fight back.

Fight back.

Hold it. Hold it tight.

Once you let go, I'll give you a lesson

you will never forget.

Don't.

Which one do you choose? Heaven or hell?

Don't!

Agartha.

What is Agartha?

Who are you?

You're not Laras.

Who are you?

Asti.

STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES

I know where he works.

While I'm looking for who he is and where he lives,

go with me to the city center.

LIST OF STAFF OF MINISTRY OF STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES

EXPERT STAFF MINISTRY OF STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES

I know who you are, you bastard!

Sir, go to Widia Nuri St. No. 3. Quick!

-34 minutes. -No, we don't have that much time.

That kid will be dead. My twin will be dead, sir!

You said you could go inside the body of Laras's husband.

Why don't you do that and commit suicide?

I can't control his body and I can't control Laras's body either.

Don't we have any weapons? We need one!

-Is that real? -No. But it looks like one.

Just drive quick. Much quicker. Now!

-What's going on? -Because I need to be there quickly!

Quick!

-Asti, wake up, my daughter. -Mom.

-Asti, don't leave Mom alone. -Yes, Mom.

I keep trying to open my eyes

so that I won't die, so I will still be with you.

Asti…

Move! For God's sake!

Who are you really?

What do you want?

If I kill her,

you will be dead too.

Adrian.

-Adrian. -Adrian.

Adrian.

Adrian. I know who you are.

Adrian Rajasa, Expert Staff of Industry.

Laras dies, you die.

Rania!

-Why did you wake me up? -We have arrived.

House this big and they don't lock it.

-And there's no security around. -He's too confident

or he's not afraid of anyone.

-Yes? -Apologize, ma'am. I'm from the ministry.

We need to meet with Mr. Adrian to discuss a file and his phone is unreachable.

He never turns on his phone at his office.

Excuse me.

Where's his office?

Where?

Mr. Hendra!

Hey!

Hey, get away from her!

Stand there!

Quick!

Laras!

Laras!

If you all just stand still, no one gets hurt.

What can you do?

If cornered, anything.

Including killing children?

I said if cornered!

-Kill me. -Don't you test me!

I will kill you for real!

You're lucky I let you two

do anything tonight.

Why?

Because I want to prove that your laws

don't apply to me.

Laras!

Laras, it's me, your twin.

I often dream of you.

I thought you were just a version of me…

in my imagination.

The free version.

Let's get out of here!

No.

If I get out,

we all will not survive.

They are

not humans.

They are devils.

Worse…

than devils.

Thank you.

Laras!

-Laras! -Mom.

Laras…

You will get what you deserve.

Adrian, who is that?

Are we outside, Mom?

Ran.

Are you moving out today?

A new life.

Even though that bastard will be in jail,

I still have to keep her away from here.

What's wrong?

I was here three days ago.

We have checked all the CCTV footage and found nothing.

-Bullshit! -Miss…

Devil or something worse, you will all pay dearly!

Subtitle translation by: Arya Wiguna